Senior Data Intelligence Research Analyst

Job Type:

Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated practitioners who would like to use their technical and domain expertise to directly impact AI and biosecurity cybersecurity policy in government and beyond and help ensure that existing and future artificial intelligence systems are safe and secure.

RAND Senior Data Intelligence Research Analysts advance RAND’s research in the intersection of AI, information security, cyber, and biosecurity by performing qualitative and quantitative research driving recommendations for the White House, multiple regulatory agencies, intelligence community, and other arms of the government and industry. They analyze AI security problems where the technical details matter and contribute to multidisciplinary project teams that include policy researchers, engineers, and research scientists.

Senior Data Intelligence Research Analysts share and uphold RAND’s values to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity, which has secured RAND's reputation for excellence and attracts studies that often pose novel challenges in analysis, modeling, research design, and computing. Analysts apply their skills in novel and flexible ways to emerging problems at the cutting edge of their fields and apply their insights to critical policy issues.

This role requires deep information security expertise along with a strong understanding of current and emerging cyber threats and state of the art methods and practices for defending enterprises against these threats.  This senior level individual contributor position requires proven experience in information security and specifically securing networks, systems and information in a complex and evolving computing environment.

This position is for subject matter experts in cyber security interested in utilizing their technical expertise in supporting critical policy decisions.  Research will span  a broad range of technologies including on-premise and cloud platforms, communications, storage, hardware, identity management and web, artificial intelligence applications, and synthetic biology – though prior experience across all these domains is not required. A strong understanding of current and emerging technologies is required. 

Responsibilities:

Senior Data Intelligence Research Analysts will use their technical skills and experience in AI, machine learning, data science, information security, and/or computer science to:

• Develop AI-specific threat models and recommendations for risk mitigation

• Execute evaluations and red-teaming exercises

• Contribute to the development of research approaches that answer complex questions at the intersection of AI, information security, and policy

• Apply a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and/or qualitative research methods

• Create tooling and software to support the above efforts

• Translate and communicate results to varied audiences ranging from security professionals to public policy makers at all levels through written products and oral presentations

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent analytic skills with proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

• Strong communication skills in English, both oral and written.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

• Experience in securing or red-teaming complex IT environments or performing cutting edge research or development in information security.

• Proficiency in explaining security requirements and technologies to non-experts, highlighting risks and benefits.

• Strong conceptual thinking for translating complex threat models and technical considerations into clear and actionable conclusions or policies.

• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration across various roles.

Experience

• Seven years minimum of combined security/engineering experience, with at least 4 years in security architecture or engineering roles.

• Experience with one or more programming languages such as Assembly, C++, Python, R, Java.

• Experience in securing or red-teaming complex IT environments or performing cutting edge research or development in information security.

Education Requirements

A master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline, or a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, is required. A MA/MS or equivalent (or BA/BS and 10+ years of related experience) in Cybersecurity, National Security Studies, Policy Analysis, Political Science or International Relations or related field is also acceptable. Relevant professional experience to meet these requirements should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to execute analytically rigorous methods related to information security.

Security Clearance

A security clearance is preferred but not required.

Location

We are actively hiring for this position in San Francisco, CA, as well as our RAND offices in Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; and Boston, MA. We offer a hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options. For San Francisco-based employees, we provide access to a flex office space. Fully remote work will also be considered.

Term

This position is a 3-year term position. RAND does not provide visa sponsorship or relocation support for this role.

Salary Range: $147,000 - $224,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet